21 replies to this topic

[ub3rman123]

Earlier this year my brother got a new computer, but it wasn't a gaming computer. More made for college work, Word and such. Now he's wanting to actually play games on it and wants some help making it able to do that. We tried a new video card (nVidia GeForce 7800), but it didn't help much. Now, I'm antsy about telling him he needs to buy a new computer so soon after this one, but I'm not sure if there is something you can upgrade without having to swap out everything on it. Suggestions?

[Vagrant0]

desktop or laptop?

If it's a desktop, you might be able to add more system RAM. Unless it's something like an i3, more RAM might help free up enough resources to play some games on it. The concept of a "gaming" PC is kinda dead these days unless you get into systems which are built to ridiculous specs to play games on ultra-ultra high.

[ub3rman123]

It's a desktop. He'll be bringing it home from college next weekend, so I can take a look at it. He's not too good with computers himself.

[Erik005]

Please post the specs or a picture of the motherboard and powersuply if you can't find anything.

[ub3rman123]

Here's the computer's specs. Should be the same aside from the video card, where I added an nVidia GeForce 7800 GTX.

[hoofhearted4]

its not horrible. its got 6gb of RAM, you could put it up to 8 if you desired. not necessary, but cheap. and the CPU, while not the best, its not horrible either. 2.9GHz isnt bad, ive seen worse. my laptop plays games with only 2.0GHz and 4 gigs of RAM

upgrading the GPU will do wonders and should help a lot. wont be the most uber build out there, but with an updated GPU youll be playing games a lot smoother i think.

[samadchaz]

The computer is enough to play NFS undercover/Burnout Paradise and COD4 like titles(of course Crashless Oblivion/FO3 because of 6gb/64-bit ) but you have to add 9500GT 1GB for a 300W power or if you go for 9600GT you need to change PSU

Edited by samadchaz, 26 September 2011 - 05:43 AM.

[Erik005]

Can you see what kind of power-supply is in the PC?

Can you download GPU-Z and check with the gtx7800 in if the bus interface is 16 @ 16 , because some oem PC's sometimes limit the graphics link to 4 to keep it cheap.

Edited by Erik005, 26 September 2011 - 08:29 PM.

[ub3rman123]

I'm afraid I don't understand some of the terms.

Can anyone recommend what I use for the GPU instead of what it has?

[hoofhearted4]

any GPU really. GTX 400 series or 500 series.

but if you upgrade your GPU most likely u will need to update your PSU as well